A short report on TCC’s participation in Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase which occurred on Earth Day—April 21st, 2012:
The Bike Corral came in handy as the TCC Bike Tour of the Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase arrived en masse at the first garden on their itinerary.
- We made it! Michelle leads the TCC Bike Caravan to House #1 on the Green Garden Showcase Tour
After lemonade and snacks, the group settled in for TCC’s presentation, “D.I.Y.: Yes You Can! Creative Lawn Conversions on a Budget.” Attendees picked up some helpful tips for finding inexpensive and creative ways to convert a conventional lawn into a drought-tolerant landscape.
This Showcase location exemplifies the D.I.Y. philosophy: it features a bistro-style patio hardscape, “urbanite” terraces, meandering flagstone walkways and a homemade park bench, dwarf fruit trees & stealth edibles mixed in with drought tolerant natives, plus two methods of rainwater capture—all accomplished D.I.Y. and under strict budgetary parameters (everything cheap, recycled, or free!).
The TCC bike caravan then rode five blocks west to the next Showcase garden on their itinerary, Yuling’s fabulous Chinese herbal garden, before heading to points beyond. Perhaps a full report of the Bike Tour will appear here soon…
Below is some information from the hand-out from D.I.Y. presentation, including resource links… Enjoy!
• • •
D.I.Y.: Yes You Can! Creative Lawn Conversions On a Budget
(Recycled • Used • Repurposed • Unwanted & Abandoned: It’s All Good!)
Presented by Transition Culver City
Saturday, April 21, 2012 • 11:30 a.m.
Design:
•1st Step is Observation: How does nature function on your property thru the seasons? (sun, wind, water).
• Identify your Zones around your home & personal usage patterns
• Will the project be gradual, step-wise, or a grand transformation?
Gathering Materials:
SOIL, COMPOST, MULCH, & OTHER HARDSCAPING MATERIALS:
• Neighbors, Noticing Your Environment, Word of Mouth in the Community
• Freecycle, Craig’s List, Free Green Exchange, etc.
• Our Time Bank: Sharing Economy (from materials urbanite to tool borrowing)
• Free Mulch & Compost from LA City
• Mulch: Ask local tree trimming companies working in your neighborhood
• Soil: look for local remodel activity
• Venice Learning Garden (donations appreciated) — mulch & compost
THE PLANTS:
• Sharing clippings & seeds with neighbors
• Venice Learning Garden — just ask what needs cleaning up… and reap the benefits by leaving with clippings & rootballs
• Seed Library of Los Angeles (SLOLA) — non-GMO, heirloom seed — come swap & learn about seed saving!
• Unlabeled plants at the gardening shops— deep discounts
• Once again, Freecycle, Craig’s List, Free Green Exchange, etc.
Repurposed & Make It Yourself Items:
• “Stacking Functions” = many yields from a single element
Examples: Benches, bistro planters, pavers, bamboo trellises and gates, “hugelkultur,” greenhouse.
Getting The Work Done:
• Work parties — Barn Raising Style
• Our Time Bank — work trade
• Teen or college-student labor from the neighborhood or recommended by friends
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[...] the event report and access the resource links from last year’s Showcase workshop D.I.Y.: Yes You Can!: Creative Lawn Conversions on a Budget. Rainwater [...]
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